No amount of hate can ever deface a giant: Rahul Gandhi on Periyar Statue attack

A day after some unidentified miscreants threw saffron colour on Periyar statue, the act was highly condemned by former Congress President Rahul Gandhi. However, a similar incident of vandalisation was reported from Kallakurichi district following which opposition parties demanded strict action.

Coimbatore: Kallakurichi: Former Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Saturday condemned the dishonour of Periyar statue in Tamil Nadu's Coimbatore.

Taking it to Twitter, the Wayanad MP said, "No amount of hate can ever deface a giant".

No amount of hate can ever deface a giant: Rahul Gandhi on Periyar Statue attack

Saffron colour was allegedly thrown on social reformer EV Ramasamy Periyar's statue in Sundarapuram in Coimbatore on Friday. Locals and supporters of Dravidian ideologue and social activist Periyar demanded the arrest of the culprit and staged a protest.

A complaint was filed by Dravidar Kazhagam (DK) workers in the matter. Periyar supporters and DMK workers gathered at the spot here.

According to cops, some unidentified miscreants poured saffron colour on the statue following which tension prevailed in the area. Supporters of Periyar and policemen cleaned the statue and some security personnel have been deployed in front of it.

Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) Chief Vaiko on Friday strongly condemned the act of some miscreants desecrating a statue of Periyar by pouring saffron paint on it.

READ: MDMK Chief Vaiko condemns desecration of Periyar statue in Coimbatore

Taking to Twitter, DMK MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi condemned this move stating that Periyar is not a mere statue but the path to social justice.

The opposition party staged a protest and demanded that the ADMK government should take immediate actions.

Another incident of vandalisation reported:

In a similar incident, another statue of Periyar was dishonoured with a garland of footwear in Keezhayur village at Thirukovilur in Kallakurichi district on Friday afternoon. Opposition parties DMK and VCK condemned the attack and staged a protest by blocking the road, demanding the arrest of the culprit.

Another Periyar statue vandalised

Cops rushed to the incident spot and pacified the situation by holding talks with the protestors and ensured that strict action would be taken.

"The protestors have demanded the arrest of accused who desecrated the statue. We are investigating the matter," cops said.

However, the statue was cleaned by Periyar supporters by removing the garland.

(With ANI inputs)